I think they were referring to unintended risks. There's probably less chance modify a plant in an inadvertently bad way with GE as its more precise. But yes if you want to weaponise an organism, it easier with GE.

However, from my understanding, the regulations of GMOs are much more stringent than for other types of breeding.

You can traditionally breed a potato to have high levels of solanine and i'm not sure whether regulations would stop it from going to market.